Ethylene Glycol Stearates

Synonyms: Ethyleneglycoli monopalmitostearas.

Description: The USP32–NF27 and PhEur 6.0 describe ethylene glycol stearates as a mixture of ethylene glycol monoesters and diesters of stearic and palmitic acids, containing not less than 50% of monoesters produced from the condensation of ethylene glycol and stearic acid, of vegetable or animal origin. Ethylene glycol stearates occur as a white or almost white waxy solid.

Chemical Name: Ethylene glycol palmitostearate

Emollient; emulsifying agent; stabilizing agent.

• Ethylene glycol stearates are used as stabilizers for water-in-oil emulsions, although they have poor emulsifying properties.

• They have emollient properties and are also used as opacifying, thickening, and dispersing agents.

• In cosmetics, ethylene glycol stearates are used as a ‘fatty body’ for lipsticks, as pearling agents in opalescent and cream shampoos, and as additives for tanning lubricants.

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Ethylene glycol stearates are mainly used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical formulations, where they are generally regarded as relatively nontoxic and nonirritant materials.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled.

Diethylene glycol monopalmitostearate; ethylene glycol monopalmitate; ethylene glycol monostearate; glyceryl monostearate; glyceryl palmitostearate.